Exchanges of Europe
Lead the World in IPOs

By

Henry E. Teitelbaum

Updated July 2, 2007 12:01 a.m. ET

LONDON -- If there were any doubts as to Europe's standing on the scene for initial public offerings before the year began, the first-half numbers laid bare the continent's position as a growing and increasingly attractive home for companies looking to go public. That position, despite some obstacles on the horizon, looks poised to keep expanding.

Companies in emerging markets like Kazakhstan and Russia joined those of more-established countries in Europe in listing on the London Stock Exchange -- an attractive marketplace...